Manufacturers

Orion Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

R8250

Usually in terms of what you can see, bigger telescopes are better. But bigger telescopes also require bulkier, heavier mounts and tripods to keep them stable, and consequently, an equally brawny owner to lug it around - not to mention more storage space.

Enter the Orion Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope. It boasts big 127mm (5")-diameter optics but in a telescope tube that's a fraction of the length (just 14.5" long!) and weight (8.6 lbs.) of a Newtonian reflector or refractor telescope of similar aperture and focal length. That's the beauty of its Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope optical design - it's so wonderfully portable.

It's those same high-performance optics that give the Orion Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope such outstanding image quality and such an incredible range of uses for the demanding observer. It gulps in 55% more light through its multi-coated, 5" meniscus lens than that of a 4" telescope, putting it in the big leagues for astronomical observation and advanced nature study. And its long 1540mm (f/12.1) focal length provides 62x magnification with the included 25mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece (1.25"), and lets you push the power up to 250x with optional eyepieces! Bright views of star clusters and nebulas at low power, stunning lunar and planetary detail at higher power - it's all in a night's work for the Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope.

As a daytime spotting scope, no telescope is more capable, especially in low-light conditions. It couples quickly to any sturdy equatorial mount or photo-style tripod (we recommend our Paragon-Plus XHD tripod, sold separately). Thanks to a built-in threaded 1/4"-20 adapter plate, mounting and disassembly are a snap.

Quality is evident not only in the optics of the Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain, but also in the black-anodized aluminum front and rear castings, the smooth-turning focus knob, and the extruded aluminum tube, with a classy, metallic-burgundy finish. The included 6x26 achromatic, correct-image finder scope features a quick-release aluminum bracket with a dovetail base and two-screw X-Y alignment. For great daytime views with proper left/right and up/down orientation, the included 25mm Sirius Plossl telescope eyepiece slips into a 45° correct-image prism diagonal, also included. You might also be interested to know that the T-threads on the eyepiece adapter allow attachment of a 35mm camera body (with optional T-ring) to the telescope for powerful telephoto photography.

As if all that weren't enough, we also include a fully padded, nylon/polyester telescope carrying case, which has plenty of room for additional accessories in the zippered side pockets.

Unencumbered with complicated gadgetry like you find on competing models, the Orion Apex 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope offers hassle-free, big-aperture performance and convenient portability, at a price that's too good to pass up!